Day two

The second day we decided to explore. We had to take the kids to see the trains at the pioneer museum.

We decided we should probably represent and actually go inside the museum this time. Funny thing is me and Richard have actually been to it before. We weren't even married yet. Not much had changed except now they had this cool play room for the kids. Of coarse we spent most of our time in there.

It resembled an old school house, and had an old fashioned desk, stove, and toys. They all took a turn dressing up in the costumes. Tate enjoyed the marble shoot, and the big boys enjoyed the guns. To which we were nice parents and bought them each one afterwards.

After that I somehow talked my hubby into taking me to the Grand Canyon. I had never been, and it's on my list. You know the one of places I've never been but want to go. It was quite an experience, and drive. Especially since you pay $25 to get in, and we weren't even there for an hour. None the less it was beautiful! I would love to hike it someday. Kid free (or much older) of coarse. We then stopped at the Flinestone cafe. Quite the experience. I'll spare you the details, and just share pictures instead.

After naps we finally made it to Brandy's. Soooo yummy! Seriously, not even joking. **5*** for sure!

• I had the ancho honey tilapia. With sundried tomato risotto. Something you should know about me is...when I go to a restaurant and I can order fish. I almost always will. It doesn't even matter that I don't really like sundried tomatoes or risotto. Which by the way was excellent. This is making me hungry!


• Richard ordered the bistro beef tenderloin. Which is what Guy ate when he was there.


• For appetizer we ordered the corn & shrimp fritters. It came with coleslaw. Which I am a super huge fan of. When it's done right, and it was. So yummy! This is making me so hungry!


• The kids went out on a limb and ordered grilled cheese sandwiches.


• We also took a huge cinnamon roll, and brownie back to the room with us. I'm sure I don't have to tell you what we did after that.
  

Oh yeah, there is still one more day!

Our winter vacation

We want to start "trying" to take more vacations as a family. We have broken it down into a winter, and summer vacation. Sounds fancy, huh? On our super fancy winter vacation we drove all the way to frosty Flagstaff Arizona. Watch out now! We're high rollers, what can we say? Besides the fact that Richard and I bickered almost every time we got in the car (please tell me we are not the only ones?) It was actually quite enjoyable. I have about a zillion pictures, and I want to start to journal it here before I completely forget. If you care, read on. If not you may exit.....now.

We left just after sun up on Friday the first. A big thank you to the Phipps for watching Rose. We finally reached wing mountain snow play area just around 10:30. (You can see some of the pictures I tweeted on my left sidebar.) The kids were so excited, and thanks to some great friends (thank you Beth, and Abby) we were able to bundle up all three of our children in proper snow attire. They were also able to sport their new beenies, and gloves we got them for Christmas. The big kids were hitting the slops before I was even able to catch up.
We finally decided to try and go somewhere a little more reclusive. But it seemed as if everyone else did too.

So our efforts where fruitless. By the time we arrived to our new destination I was already pooped. Then on my first attempt down I broke one of are disks. So it was back to the car (carrying Tate) to get some money to buy a new one. Secretly I was a little pleased. I wanted a bigger one, anyways. We had two little disk, and a two person flat sled. But I envied those who could carry their kids in the one's with the sides. Plus the over protective side of me thought it would be safer. You know for the kids. When I finally got back I realized I lost my beanie. Total bummer:( and a detail nobody else cares about but me. So we stopped for some hot chocolate, and a new sled.
After a few more times down
we decided it was picture/snowball fight/snowman time. So we ventured around trying to find a good spot. After treading through knee deep snow we finally found it. Where we began well...picture taking/snowball fighting/snowman building. See I got the pictures to prove it.


When finally done we treaded back for one last time down the hill. Turns out I was right about the sled with the slides. On our way back to the car Tate laid down, and had a nice little nap. Soooo cute! The big boys were a bit jealous too.


After checking into our room at the Highland Country Inn. (Which was very clean. As an extra bonus they were very hospitable. Which is hard to come by these days, and I am planning a whole nether post about that. Believe you me.) We enjoyed a nice lunch of strawberry uncrustables with cheddar sun chips for the kids, and jalapeno chips for the "grownups". After naps we ventured out. We were hoping to dine at Brandy's but they were closed for the Holiday. So we headed back toward the little shopping district. We knew we were bound to find something tasty around there, and find something tasty we did. We went into Alpine Pizza which was pretty empty. We were hoping we didn't walk into a dud. After placing our order Richard played pool with kids.

They really enjoyed that, and it was nice for them to have something to do while we waited for some of the best pizza I have ever had. The crust was perfect, the mozzarella cheese was divine (and I don't use divine lightly) and the toppings were big enough for a king. Which is what we ate like. While Alpine pizza was bit on pricey side I give it **** stars. YUM! After dinner we walked a bit more, and I took this dapper picture of my gentleman.


Then it was back to the room for a marathon of Sunny with a chance.


Which was pretty entertaining for a show on Disney. Well I'm sure you can imagine what we did after that. But if your curious as to what the next day held in store stay tuned for my next instalment. Oh yes there's more.

Happy Birthday...

to my Mom!

Merry Christmas Eve

He could do worse

When Tate saw his Daddy on his lap top he had to go get his too.

a night time car ride

Last night we drove around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights. It was fun, as always. We are soooo adventurous. What can I say? We were talking about all the help I received during the first day of winter break. Which happened to be the same day. The list...

• cleaned bedroom
• cleaned playroom
• picked up dog poo
• cleaned their own bathroom. That'll teach'em.
• Took out mounds to the recycler.

Basically it was great!

I told Richard I was enjoying having Jaren home all day. Truly meant it, and not because off all the chores he did. I said I was considering home schooling him. Then I quickly rephrased that by saying I was gonna have him home school me.

Bowling fun

A couple of weeks ago the whole family went to a birthday bowling party. If you haven't ever tried, it's really hard to take pictures in a bowling ally. I'm guessing because it's so dark.

His first time up Jaren threw a strike. Here's his picture taken right after.

Another good attempt.

Here's Jace. He may not have thrown a stike, but he looked good doing it.
Another angle.
And Tate only wished he could play. He had a lot of fun roaming around anyway.

It really should be illegal

That's how much I love my family! One person shouldn't be aloud so much love! But love them, I do! More than anything!

Also...

Tate wanted to show you just how cute he is on any ol regular day.

Well...I guess it wasn't just any regular day. It so happened to be the day after he turned 20 months!

Pictures from Grandma's 80th birthday.

Surprise!!!

Grandma's 80th birthday surprise!

So, so what. I'm still a rock star.

Or at least I'd like to think so. It's not any big secret that me and my family love rock band. Sometimes on Friday nights we rock out and have some major jam sessions. Or Tuesdays or Saturdays. Some times we even take pictures. But we never put lip gloss on for said pictures. Never! Or big rock star earrings for that matter.

I'm a little delayed on posting this. But on the bright side. I'm officially caught up on my digi scrapin.

He's all growd up!

I can't believe my cousin Max is getting ready to go on a mission. I remember when my aunt was pregnant with him, and I hoped he would be born on my birthday. He wasn't. He was born two days later. Don't worry he's still cool. Anyways, Saturday he got to go to the Temple for the first time. It was a really neat occasion. Here are a couple of pictures. The group after. Aunt Judy, and Uncle Frank along with Jenny and some of the other cousins joined us afterwards.Aunt Kim and Max.I can only imagine how proud of him she must be.Grandma and MaxAfterwards we went to Organ Stop Pizza. It was totally cool. Next time your in the neighborhood you should check it out.

Grandma's birthday party invitation

Here is grandma's birthday invitation for those of you who are not yet logged into to the Slade Family website.The address is blurred for obvious reasons. But if you need it, you can email me.
The background is from Summertime Designs. I purchased a commercial license from her. But you can download kits for your own personal use for free on her website. I used some old photographs I scanned earlier this year. Then used two different fonts (Scriptina, and 1944 typewriter) that I downloaded from 1001 free font's. It's really easy and they give direction's right on their site.

Wow, late or what?

Here is our fourth of July post, finally!

Blowing off steam in the motel room before heading out to the parade.
Richard had gone to load up the car, and me being the great parent that I am. Decided it would be better to take pictures of their impromptu cage fight(minus the cage, obviously) rather than tell them to knock it off. What can I say? You can all line up for my great parenting tips anytime! As you can see Jaren is usually the Victor. However, Jace enjoys it no matter what (proof is in the first picture) and every once in a while he gets a good lick in.

Waiting for the parade to start.My Uncle Kenny brought my Grandpa's old truck he restored. I wish I had a picture of the whole thing, but there were to many people crowded around it.
The statue of Liberty was my favorite float.The pyro's were so loud.
My second Cousin Kate won Little Miss Eager last year so she got to ride in the parade this year!Proof I really was there. Me & My Grandma.Some of the girls & Daniel hiding
Jessica,Renee, & Grandma.
Uncle Kenny's family minus Melissa.